Travelers planning to fly from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, are advised to prepare for significant flight delays and cancellations following a tragic incident involving a UPS cargo plane. On Tuesday afternoon, the aircraft crashed near the runway, resulting in at least seven fatalities. This unfortunate event has prompted airport authorities to take immediate action, including the closure of the airport and the cancellation of all departing flights.
The UPS cargo plane, an MD-11, was operating Flight 2976 destined for Honolulu when the crash occurred shortly after takeoff around 5:15 p.m. Reports indicate that the plane descended shortly after leaving the ground and ultimately crashed approximately three miles south of the airport. The crash ignited a large fire in a cluster of buildings located south of the airport, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.
Firefighters have been working diligently to contain the fire, and authorities have reported that they are nearing full containment. According to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, there was no hazardous cargo on board the plane, which has helped mitigate further risks. However, some storage tanks at the crash site, containing propane and oil, ruptured during the incident.
As of now, the authorities have confirmed that at least seven individuals lost their lives in the crash. The identities of the victims have yet to be released. UPS, in their statement, mentioned that they were still in the process of confirming any injuries or fatalities among their crew members. The plane struck buildings that housed two businesses: a waste management company and Grade A Auto Parts. Tragically, three employees from Grade A are currently missing, according to the company's chief operating officer, Joey Garber.
In addition to the fatalities, ten victims were transported to hospitals affiliated with the University of Louisville, with varying degrees of injuries. Some individuals suffered critical burns, while others had injuries that were not life-threatening, as stated by David McArthur, a spokesperson for the hospital.
Louisville serves as the primary air hub for UPS, housing its largest air cargo facility, known as Worldport. The crash has severely disrupted cargo operations, prompting UPS to announce a halt to package sorting operations overnight. According to Airports Council International, Louisville was recognized as the world’s fifth busiest airport for cargo traffic last year, following major hubs in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Memphis, and Anchorage.
Officials have announced that the airport is expected to reopen on Wednesday morning. However, travelers should still anticipate delays and cancellations as operations resume. The airport communicated via social media that a shelter-in-place order, initially issued on Tuesday evening, was reduced to a one-mile radius around the airport. In light of the incident, local schools have also canceled classes for Wednesday, prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff.
The recent crash marks a significant event in UPS's operational history. The last notable crash involving a UPS aircraft occurred in 2013 when a plane departing from Louisville crashed in Birmingham, Alabama, resulting in the deaths of both pilots.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that a team of investigators will arrive in Kentucky to conduct a thorough investigation and provide further updates. The community and the nation await more information as the situation unfolds.
